human rights defenders – Page 14 – International Justice Resource Center

Inter-American Commission Launches Online System for Requesting Meetings and Hearings, As New Rules of Procedure Take Effect

August 5, 2013 IJRC civil society, human rights defenders, Inter-American System

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has unveiled a new, online system through which victims and advocates will now be able to request working meetings and hearings related to pending petitions, as well as thematic hearings. Previously, the Commission received such requests by letter or email; going forward, the new online system will be the exclusive method for requesting

OAS General Assembly Elects Three New IACHR Commissioners during its 43rd Regular Session

June 8, 2013 IJRC civil society, human rights defenders, indigenous communities, Inter-American System, international human rights, LGBTI rights, thought, expression & association, women's rights

The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) held its 43rd regular session from June 4 to 6, 2013 in Antigua, Guatemala. [OAS; IACHR] Notably, the General Assembly filled three upcoming vacancies on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), electing two new Commissioners and electing current IACHR Chair José de Jesús Orozco to a second term. [OAS Press Kit]

Human Rights Bodies Call for End to Discrimination, Intolerance on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 17, 2013 IJRC civil society, discrimination, European System, human rights defenders, Inter-American System, LGBTI rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, celebrated annually on May 17, serves as an opportunity to call attention to the challenges, stigma, and rights violations experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals around the world. Today, many of the major human rights monitoring bodies released statements calling on governments to initiate or increase efforts to put an end

Nominations for 2013 UN Human Rights Prize Due by July 5

May 14, 2013 IJRC human rights defenders, international human rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) has opened nominations for the 2013 United Nations Prize for those who have made “outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights.” The award has been presented every five years since 1968, pursuant to General Assembly Resolution that also established the international year for human rights.

Open Letter from Venezuelan Human Rights Advocates on the Election

April 19, 2013 IJRC civil society, democracy & political rights, human rights defenders, international human rights

The below letter, directed at Latin American human rights organizations, was published on April 18, 2013 by Venezuelan human rights coalition Foro Por la Vida and signed by a group of well-known Venezuelan advocates. It should be noted, the National Electoral Council has since granted a full recount over the next 30 days, although the scheduled swearing-in of President Nicolas Maduro nonetheless

UN Human Rights Council Concludes 22nd Session with Resolutions on North Korea, Mali, Syria, and Human Rights Defenders

March 27, 2013 IJRC human rights defenders, international human rights, military and humanitarian intervention, right to life, security & rule of law, thought, expression & association, torture, transitional justice, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures, Universal Periodic Review

The United Nations Human Rights Council concluded its twenty-second regular session last week after adopting a number of decisions, statements and resolutions to address pressing concerns in a handful of countries, advance its work on a range of human rights issues, and call for greater protection of human rights defenders. [OHCHR] Among other notable decisions during the four-week session, the

IACtHR Swears in New Judges, Hears Cases on Range of Issues during Ongoing 98th Session

February 6, 2013 IJRC children, crime & impunity, due process & judicial protection, environmental rights, extrajudicial executions, human rights defenders, Inter-American System, international human rights, judicial independence, labor rights, property, reparations, torture

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) is holding its 98th Ordinary Session from February 4 through February 15, 2013 at its seat in San José, Costa Rica. [IACtHR Press Release (Spanish)] During this session, the Court will hear evidence and legal arguments from the parties in six cases pending before it, preside over private hearings on States’ compliance with three previous judgments,

November 19 Deadline for Civil Society Participation in OAS Dialogue on Reforms to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

November 16, 2012 IJRC human rights defenders, Inter-American System

On December 7, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) will hold two Extraordinary Sessions with civil society and users of the Inter-American Human Rights System to discuss proposed, controversial reforms to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights‘ mandate and procedures. The sessions will be held at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC and will be preceded by a

Recent Developments for NGO Engagement with the UN

September 18, 2012 IJRC civil society, human rights defenders, indigenous communities, international human rights, UN Human Rights Council, UN treaty bodies, Universal Periodic Review, Universal system

Recent developments have made it easier for civil society to engage in advocacy in before various UN human rights bodies. The changes particularly benefit NGOs that lack a permanent presence in Geneva and New York, allowing them to watch sessions or in some cases even participate even when travel to Geneva is not feasible. Online Speaker Lists for NGOs at

Reprisals for Reporting Human Rights Violations

August 31, 2012 IJRC civil society, human rights defenders, international human rights, liberty & security of person, thought, expression & association, UN Human Rights Council

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, will present his annual report on government reprisals against persons who report human rights abuses to the UN at the Human Rights Council in September 2012. The Secretary-General’s report (A/HRC/21/18) presents numerous countries and cases where human rights defenders were subjected to intimidation and harassment by government for interacting or communicating with